Pressure regulator



1942- P. w. 'ENSIGN I h f Re. 22,151

PRESSURE REGULATOR Ori'gifial Filed Dec. 12, 1959 lnvezz Zor. PM! M [1137:9122

my MWMM Y which it passes.

Reiuued AugJl,

UNITED I rmcssrme aadumroa Pamw. Ensign, San Marino, calm, assignor to Ensign Carburetor Co. Ltd., Huntington Park,

- Calii'., a corporation of California Original No. 2,280,390, dated April 21, 1942, Serial I No. 308,804, December 12, 1939. Application for reissue June 8, 1942, Serial No. 446-,256

15 Claims. (01. 137-153) these various forces may be, one side of the diaphragm is subjected to pressure, modified or unmodified, from the low pressure or outlet side of the regulating valve, that side of the diaphragm being commonly called the low pressure side.

For many usesand purposes it is'not desirable to have a wide open communication between'the low pressure side of the diaphragm and the low pressure side of the regulating valve, but on the other hand, a restricted communication so that pulsations or sudden changes in the outlet pressure will not set up pulsations in the diaphragm, and so also that the controlling pressure at the low pressure side of the diaphragm may be modified if desired by pressures modifying source.

from any desired 1 The invention will be best understood from the following detailed description of a specific and illustrative design .as applied to a typical pressure regulator, reference for the purpose being hadto the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a central section showing my improvement applied to a typical pressure regulator;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a] fragmentary section taken in a 1 plane parallel to the section'plane of Fig. 1, and

s Fig. 4 is a face .view of the block which provides the pivot for the valve lever, this view.

being taken as indicated by line 4 on Fig. 1.

The typical regulator shown in'the drawing is made up mainly of two castings Hi and II which contain, respectively, the reference pressure chamber I2 atone side of diaphragm l3, and the low pressure chamber H at the other side of the diaphragm. The casting l0 also includes the low pressure outlet l5, and casting II includes the high pressure inlet I6 which is provided withthe insertedvalve seat member I1. The chamber I8, which is formed in registering parts of the two castings, is a low pressure outlet In the past various-arrangements have been I used for isolating the low pressure side of the diaphragm from the low pressure side of the regulating valve. For instance, a valve rod may pass through the wall or walls between the low pressure diaphragm chamber and the low pres sure outlet chamber at the outlet side of the valve and the rod either be packed with a packinggland or be closely fitted to the bore through That valve rod may carry the regulating valve directly and may also be directly connected to the actuating diaphragm. In cases where it is desired to set up a mechanical advantage between the .valve and; the diaphragm, levers are also usually used, connecting between the diaphragm and the valve rod or between the valve rod and the valve;

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple construction whereby the interconnection between the diaphragm and regulating valve may if desired consist substantially wholly-of},

a simple lever, still maintaining the'desired isolation; and this object is accomplished by pro- 1 viding a'lever mounting of such nature thatfthe lever may pass through. the wall separating the two low pressure chambers, and whereby the intercommunication betweenthe two chambers is controllably restricted. I

chamber communicating with-the outlet I5, and for the purposes of this description may either be regarded as a low pressure valve chamber or as a part of the low pressure outlet chamber at the outlet side of the valve. The valve 20 as hereshown is a simple disk valve mounted on the end portion 2| of valve lever 22, the mounting including'a spheric seat 23 and a spring 24 that provide freedom for the valve to adjust itself in good contact with the valve seat (Ila.

Diaphragm I3 is clampedperipherally between the two castings Ill-and II, and the valve lever 22 is located at the low pressure side of diaphragm III, with its end 25 contacting or con-- nected with diaphragm l3 in any suitable manner. Itis here shown simpl'yengaging a button 26 carried on the diaphragm, a spring 21 bearing against lever 22 with sufllcient force to make the'l'ever. end 25 follow the diaphragm andto move valve 20 onto its seat against the high pressure in inlet IBJ. I

As here shown, diaphragm I3 is adapted have fluid pressure applied in-chambjer II, but

any means for applying the reference pressure [maybe used.

chamber l4 may be modified in any desired mam ner or by any suitable means, For instance-a 1 pressure connection at, controlled by valve; 56,

The pressure in low pressure velocities through outlet l6 become higher, by use v of a Pitot tube 60 which faces down-stream and connects via passages 6 l and 62 with chamber 14. The typical regulator here. shown has been designed to deliver fuel gas at substantially atmospheric, but modified pressures to the carbureter or mixer of an internal combustion engine,

uses or the pressures involved.

Where the lever 22 passes between low pressure outlet chamber l6 and low pressure diaphragm chamber. 14, the wall 36- of casting II which would otherwise completely isolate chambers l4 and I8, is cut'through with an opening 3| that is here shown as of rectangular section as viewed in Fig. 2. This rectangular opening is cut back from. the face 32 of casing II that engages the face of diaphragm. l3, and is defined. in the casting II by the twoside walls 33 and what may be called the bottom wall 64.

i but my invention is applicable generally to pressure regulators regardless of their design, their The rectangular opening just described is blocked, excepting as hereinafter described, by a 3 block 46 which provides a simple fulcrum for the valve lever 22 and also provides in one manner or another the controllably restricted communication between low pressure outlet chamber l6 and low pressure diaphragmchamber l4. In the specific and illustrative design here shown, the block 46 is generally of U-shaped or channel section having a web 4| whichpresentsa flat surface 42 (see Fig. 2) flush with the'diaphragm engag ing surface 32 of casting ll, to bear against the peripheral portion of the diaphragm. 'll'he block has two longitudinally extending flanges at its lateral edges, the outer surfaces of these flanges fitting snugly against side walls 63 of opening II, and the edges of the flanges resting against the bottom wall 64 of that opening. The block is held in place in casting H by the screw 45.

Extending between the two flanges 44 the block has a transverse rib 46 which may be provided in its outer edge with a notch 41 constituting the major portion of the controllably restricted communication between the two low pressure chambers l4 and It. This notch may be made of any size desired. In line with the rib 46 the two flanges 44 are notched as shown at 46 to take.

the transverse pivot pin 49; and this pivot pin rests against the ends of notches 46 and also against the edge of rib 46. In machining or otherwise finishing the notches 46 to their proper depth, the machining operation may be' carried across the outer edge of rib 46 to form the edge surface 50 (see Fig. 4) so that the pivot pin 49 will bear snugly throughout its length against the edge'surface 46a and the bottoms of notches B L Itib 46 and pivot pin '49, as thus assembled.

constitute a convenient and simple arrangement for forming at once as barrier member across the opening through block 46 and a pivot ful-.

crum for valve lever 22 with an inserted piece (pivot pin 49) of good bearing material for which stock steel or other rod may be used. The use of the separate pin 49 also facilitates cutting the 7 opening 41 as a notch. I

. In the broader'aspects of my invention pivot pin 49 may be regarded as a part ofthe fulcrum chamber I 4.

rib 4e; and the rib as and the whole blocl; 40

may be regarded as a part of the casing or trollablyblock the passage and that form the lever pivot, has the advantage of providing a small insertible part that is easily machined and a sub-assembly that is easily assembled and then.

i put in place.

Lever 22 is shown as formed simply of a strip of metal of rectangular cross-section, with a bearing portionli bent substantially to semi-cylindric form to bear against and flt around pivot pin 49. At this portion 60 the lever is just thick enough to snugly but movably flt' against the surface 34, or to leave a small definite clearance.

The, width of lever 22 at the bearing portion 56 is such as to fit snugly but movably, or with slight clearance, between block flanges 44. At

other parts of its length the lever need not fit closely in the space between the flanges, its end portions may taper down from the center.

The rib 46, pivot pin 49 and the bearing portion 56 of the lever, together form the barrier across the space between the block flanges 44. This barrier, as so constituted, has two fluid passages past it; one of those passages being the clearance space or spaces which is desirable around the lever bearing portion 50,-the other being the notch 41 which is most conveniently formed 7 in the rib (46) portion of the barrier. The -clear-' ance passage may be easily made small enough to be of less cross-sectional area than the total communication area desired between chambers l4 and I8. The remainder of the total desired communication area is then easily and accurately provided'by making notch 41 of the proper size.

Or, where the total desired communication area is small-it may beconstituted solely of the clearance spaces aroundthe lever, withoutmakins the lever too loosely mounted.

A baiiie 62 e'xtendstransversely between flanges 44 to break or divert the high velocity flow that might otherwise stream directlyfrom under valve 26 toward the restricted passages leading to To -make this baiiie of suitable width, lever 22 is curved at 22a to accommodate it. The arm 2| of lever 22, more or less extending across the space between the flanges 44 and positioned between valve seat "a and communication notch 41, also acts as a baflie to protect opening 41 against direct flow from the valve.

In conjunction with, or without, the communication opening at 41, other calibrated openings may be used. For instance the bearing portion 66 oi the lever may be notched through as shown at 41a. It may not be desirable that the clearance'between lever part 56 and wall surface 24 be made large enough to provide all the desired communication, as the lever would then be. undesirably loose on its pivot: but the desired communication may be partially or substantially wholly provided by maki g greater clearance at the edge or edges of the lever 22 at its bearing part 50, as indicated at 41b in Fig. 2. Or a groove or grooves 41c may becut in wall 34 under the bearing part 50 for the same purpose.

I claim:

1. In a pressure regulator of the type having a pressure movable diaphragm, a low pressure "chamber atone side-of the diaphragm, a high pressure inlet including a valve seat, a low pressure outlet chamber 'valvularly communicating second mentioned communication; a unitary pivoted valve lever connectedat one end with the valve, extending throughthe communication passage and connected at the other end with the diaphragm, and a barrier member extending across said passage and forming a pivot within,

said passage for the valve lever, said barrier and lever together forming an obstruction which nearly fills the cross-section of the passage and thereby-provides a restricted communication between the outlet chamber and the diaphragm chamber so that the outlet pressure is restrictedly communicated to the diaphragm chamber.

2. In a pressure regulator of the type having a pressure movable diaphragm, a low pressure chamber at one side of the diaphragm, a high pressure inlet including a valve seat, a low pressure outlet chamber valvularly communicating with the inlet, a valve, and a communication passage between the low pressure diaphragm chamber and the outlet chamber, theflrst-mentioned communication being independent of the second mentioned communication; a unitary pivoted valve lever connected at one end with the valve, extending through the communication passage and connected at the other end with the diaphragm, a barrier member extending across .said passage and forming a pivot within said passage for the valve lever, said barrier and lever together forming an obstruction which substantially fills the cross-section of the passage, and means in association with the barrier member and the ,valve lever forming a restricted passageway past the barrier member so that the outlet pressure is restrictedly communicated to the diaphragm chamber.

'3, In a pressure regulator of the type having a pressure movable diaphragm, a low pressure chamber at one'side of the diaphragm, a high pressure inlet including a valve seat, a low pressure outlet chamber valvularly communicating with the inlet, a valve, and a communication passage between the low pressure diaphragm chamber and the outlet chamber; a'unitary pivoted valve lever connected at one end with the valve,

1v extending throughthe communication passage and connected at the other end with the diaphragm, a barrier member extending across said passage and extending from a passage wall toward and having a free fulcrum edge spaced from the wall opposite, the valve lever passing through and substantially filling the space between said fulcrum edge and said wall opposite and being pivoted on said fulcrum edge.

4. In a pressure regulator of the type having pressure movable diaph'ragm,. a low pressure chamber at one side of the diaphragm, a high pressure inlet including a valve seat, a low pressure outlet chamber, valvularly communicating with the inlet, a valve, and a communication passage between the low pressure diaphragm chamber and the outlet chamber; a unitary pivoted valve lever connected at one end with the valve, extending through the communication passage and connected at the'other end with the diaphragm, a

barrier member extending across saidpassage and extending from a-passage wall toward and having a free fulcrum edge spaced from the wall opposite, the valve lever passing through and oted on saidfulcr'um edge, said barrier member and the valve lever together forming a substantially complete-barrier across saidpassage, and means in association with said barrier forming a restricted passage past it.

5. In a pressure regulator of the type having a pressure movable dia ragm, a low pressure chamber at one side ofthe diaphragm, a high pressure inlet including a valve seat, a low presdiaphragm. a barrier member extending across said passage and extending from a passage wall toward and having a free fulcrum edge spaced from the Wall opposite, the valve lever passing through and substantially filling the space between said fulcrum edge and said wall opposite and being pivoted on said fulcrum edge, and a restricted opening through the barrier member.

6. In a pressure regulator of the type having a pressure movable diaphragm, a low pressure chamber at one side of the diaphragm, a high pressure inlet including a valve seat, a low pressure outlet chamber valvularly communicating with the inlet, a valve, and a communication passage between the low pressure diaphragm chamber and the outletchamber; a unitary pivoted valve lever connected at one end with the valve, extending through the communication passage .and connected at the other end with the diaphragm, a barrier member extending across said passage and extending from a passage wall toward and having a free fulcrum edge-spaced tween said fulcrum edgeand said wall opposite and being pivoted on said fulcrum edge, and, a

transverse baflle across the passage located between the valve seat andthe barrier member.

7. In a pressure regulator of the type having a pressure movable diaphragm, a lowpressure chamber at one side of the diaphragm,- a high substantially. filling the space between said fulcrum edge and said wall opposite and. being pivpressure inlet including a valve seatya low pressure outlet chamber valvularly communicating with the inlet, a 'valve, and a communication passage between the low pressure diaphragm chamber and the outlet chamber; a unitary pivoted valve lever connected at one end with the valve, extending through the communication passage and connected at the other. end with the diaphragm, a barrier member extending across 1 said passage and extending froma passage wall toward and having a free fulcrum .edge spaced from the wall opposite, the valve lever passing through and substantially filling the space between said fulcrum edge and said wall opposite and being pivoted on said fulcrum edge. a restricted opening through "the barrier member, and the valve connected end portion of the valve lever lying between the valve seat and said restricted opening.

8. In a pressure regulator of. the type having a, pressure .movable' diaphragm, a lowpressure chamber at one side-of the diaphragm. a high pressure inlet including a valve seat, a low pressure outlet chamber valvularly communicating with the inlet, a valve, and a communication passagebetween the low pressure diaphragm chamber and the outlet chamber; a unitary pivoted valve lever connected at one end with the valve,

extending through the communication passage and connected at the, other end with the diaphragm, a removable pivot and barrier block fitting said passage, said block being channel shaped and comprised of a. web and two lateral flanges whose free edges contact one wall of said passage, a barrier member extending across the space between the two flanges and projecting from the web toward said wall and having a free fulcrum edge spaced from said wall, and the valve lever passing through and substantially filling the space between said fulcrum edge and said wall and pivoted on said fulcrum edge,

9. In a pressure regulator of the type having a pressure movable diaphragm, a low pressure chamber at one side of the diaphragm, a high pressure inlet including a valve seat, .a low pressage and connected at the other end with the diaphragm, a removable pivot and barrier block fitting said passage, said block being "channel shaped and comprised of a web andjtwo lateral flanges whose free edges contact one wall .of said passage, a barriermember extending across the space between the two flanges and projecting from the web toward said wall and having a free fulcrum edge spaced from said wall, and

the valve lever passing through and substan tially filling the space between said fulcrum edge and said wall and pivoted on said fulcrumedge, said barrier member having a restricted opening through it, a transverse baffle extending between the block flanges and located between the valve 7 [seat and the barrier member and valve lever,

sure outlet chamber valvularly communicating a with the inlet, a valve, and a communication passage between the low pressure diaphragm' chamber and the outlet chamber; a unitary piv-f' oted valve lever connected at one end with the valve, extending through the communication passage and connected at the other end with the diaphragm, a removable pivot and barrier block fitting said passage, said block being channel shaped and comprised of a web and two lateral flanges whose free edges contact one wall of 'said passage. a barrier member extending across the space between the two flanges and. project ing from the web toward said wall and having a free fulcrum edge. spaced from said wall, and the valve lever passing through and substantially filling the space between said fulcrum edge and saidwall and pivoted on said fulcrum edge, said barrier member and the valve lever together formingv a substantially complete barrier across thespace between the block web and said wall and between said block flanges, and means in association with said barrier forming a restricted passage past it. n

10. In a pressure regulator of the type having a pressure movable diaphragm, a low pressure chamber at one side of the diaphragm, a high pressure inlet including a valve seat, a low pressure outlet chamber valvularly communieating with the inlet, a valve-and a communication passage between the low pressure diaphragm chamber and the outlet chamber; a unitary pivoted valve lever connected at one end with the valve, extending through the communication passage and connected at the other end with the diaphragma removablepivot and barrier block fitting said passage, said block be ing channel shaped and comprised of a web and two lateral flanges whose free edges contact one wall of said passage, a barrier member extending across the space between the two flanges'and wall, and the valve lever passing through and substantially filling the space between said fulland the valve connected end portion of the valve leverlying between the valve seat and the opening through the; barrier member. 7 I

12. In a pressure regulator ofjthe type having a pressure movable diaphragm, a low pressure -chamber at 'on'e side of the diaphragm, a high .pressure inlet including a valve seat, a low pressure outlet chamber valvularlyg communicating with the inlet, a valve, and a communication passage between .the 10w pressure diaphragm chamber and the outlet chamber, the first mentioned communication being independent of the second mentioned communication; a unitary pivoted valve lever connected at one end with the valve, extending through" the communication passage and connected atjthe other end with the diaphragm, a barrier member extending across said passage and forming a pivot within said passage for the valve lever, said barrier and levertogether forming an obstruction which nearly fills the cross-section of the passage and there b provides a restricted communication between the outlet chamber and the diaphragmcham'ber so that the outlet pressure is restrictedly communicated to the diaphragm chamber, and means independent of said restricted communication for regulatedly communicating another fluid pressure to the diaphragm chamber to modify the pressure therein.

13. In a pressure regulator of the type having a pressure movable diaphragm, a low pressure chamber atone side of the diaphragm, a. high pressure inlet including a. valve seat, a low pressure outlet chamber valvularly communicating with the inlet, a valve, and a communication passage between the low pressure diaphragm crum edge and said wall and pivoted on said iulcrum edge, said barrier member having a restricted opening through it.

11. In a pressure regulator of the type having a pressure movable diaphragm, a low pressure chamber at one side of the diaphragm, ahigh pressure inlet including a valve seat, a low pressure outlet chamber valvularly communicating with the inlet, a valve, and a communication passage between the low pressure diaphragm chamber and the outlet chamber; a unitary pivoted valve lever connected at one end with the valve, extending through the communication paschamber-and the outlet chamber, the first mentioned communication being independent of the second mentioned communication; a unitary pivoted valve lever connected at one end with the valve, extending through the communication passage and connected at the other end'with the diaphragm, a, barrier. member extending across said passage and forming a pivot within said passage for the valvelever, said barrier and lever together forming an obstruction which substantially fills the cross-section of the passage, means in association with the barrier member and the valve lever forming a restricted passageway past the barrier member so that the outlet pressure is restrictedly communicated to the diaphragm chamber, and means independent of said restricted communication for regulatedly communieating another fluid pressure to the diaphragm chamber to modify the pressure therein.

14. In a pressure regulator of the type having a pressure movable diaphragm, a low pressure chamber'at one side of the diaphragm, a high chamber at one side of the diaphragm, a high sure outlet chamber valvularly communicating with the inlet, a valve, and a communication passage between the low pressure diaphragm chamber and the outlet chamber, the first mentioned communication being independent of the second mentioned communication; a unitary pivoted valve lever connected at one end with the valve, extending through the communication passage and connected at the other end with the diaphragm, a member located in said communication passage and providing therein a pivot upon which a media-1 portion of the lever is pivotally mounted within the passage, the said member and the pivoted portion' of the lever together forming an obstruction which nearly fills the cross-section of the passage leaving a restricted passageway which is located substantially solely directly adjacent the pivoted portion of the lever.

15. In a pressure regulator of the type having a pressure movable diaphragm, a-low .pressure pressure inlet including a valve seat, a low pressure outlet chamber valvularly communicating with the inlet, a .valve, and a communication passage between the low pressure diaphragm chamber and the outlet chamber, the first mentioned communication being independent of the second mentioned communication; aunitary pivoted valve lev er connected at one end with the valve, extending through the'communication passage and connected at the other end with the diaphragm,a barrier member located in said communication passage, extending across the passage from a passage wall toward and having a pivot member spaced from the wallopposite,

a medial portion of the valve lever within the passage being pivotally mounted on the pivot member and having a clearance from the opposite wall, which clearance forms a restricted passageway past the barrier. PAUL W. ENSIGN. 

